Brazing of zirconia

Jon Lawson

In demanding applications, such as those within the petrochemical and industrial sectors, it is not uncommon for components to become damaged when subjected to sustained wear and corrosion, which can result in significant cost and disruption. Where other materials fail, zirconia remains highly resistant while exhibiting high fracture toughness. As a result, it is rapidly becoming a material of choice for components where wear and corrosion are primary concerns.

Brazing is an essential part of the process of creating components and while common techniques for connecting metals and ceramics include shrink fitting and gluing, they are not always entirely appropriate, particularly when there is a requirement for components with complex geometries intended for applications in harsh environments. Morgan’s ceramic-to-metal brazed assembly portfolio has been augmented by the additional capability of utilising zirconia, which offers new solutions for satisfying demand for robust and resilient joints.

Unlike other methods currently employed, brazing of zirconia offers a greater degree of flexibility in terms of the complexity of the surface geometries it can join together, meaning there is significantly greater freedom around the type of components to which this technology can be applied. Another key advantage is that brazing offers a fundamentally superior joint, which offers better strength and hermeticity.

Now Morgan Advanced Materials has enhanced its production capability to include brazing of zirconia. This expansion opens up the possibility for the brazing of zirconia to a range of metals for a wide variety of applications that were previously unavailable, such as nickel alloys.

 

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